Anthony G. Brown -- Democrat

Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun

Brown, 52, grabbed a solid lead in early polls, with many Democrats undecided. He recruited a popular running mate in Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, 39, and has gained the endorsement of the state's leading Democrats. But no lieutenant governor in Maryland has won election to the top job. Brown has to hope that Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration, of which he's a part, remains popular among Democrats.

Brown, 52, grabbed a solid lead in early polls, with many Democrats undecided. He recruited a popular running mate in Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, 39, and has gained the endorsement of the state's leading Democrats. But no lieutenant governor in Maryland has won election to the top job. Brown has to hope that Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration, of which he's a part, remains popular among Democrats.